Residents have reacted with mixed opinions to proposals from local leaders that Leicester’s borders could be expanded into Leicestershire. Last night’s (Thursday, January 9) announcement about the possible extension of city boundaries followed Government calls for areas, like Leicestershire, which have two tiers of councils to merge these into a single organisation.
Locally, this could mean the end of the district and borough councils, with Leicestershire instead to be governed by a unitary authority. Rutland could also be included in that authority. However, local leaders have said they will be seeking to keep Leicester itself separate.
To help the struggling Leicester City Council stay financially viable, Leicester’s borders would need to be expanded into parts of the county. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby told LeicestershireLive no decisions have yet been taken on which towns and villages this might impact.
READ MORE: Leicester’s borders could expand into the county
While these plans are actioned, Leicestershire County Council has also requested to postpone this year’s local elections to May 2026. The Government outlined in its English Devolution White Paper that it would consider the postponement of local elections to prioritise and enable mergers.
Our readers have taken to the comments section to respond to the news of expansion and the potential delays in upcoming local elections. While some readers support the proposed changes, others were vocal about concerns over their future in the county.
Commenter, AndyJMiles said: “This is the kind of rational and progressive thinking we hope for from the new Labour government. It should create more efficient and focussed local government, with not only a unified area but greater decision making powers within it.
“It seems right to keep the city and county separate though, as they represent very different interests.”
Another commenter Kristo said: “This all makes perfect sense to me. It’s the sort if thing the previous Tory government should have implemented, but like 1001 other worthy projects, just never got round to it.”
User Filbertfox agreed and said: “I have advocated this for years. We should expand the city boundary and we’d receive more funding. Our local government makes little sense. Why is Glenfield in Blaby? There are other examples. The districts are not fit for purpose and one county council would be more efficient.”
Our Facebook comments were similarly filled with some positive perspectives on the border expansion.
David Sprason said: “Long overdue. A unitary council makes financial sense even if it means delaying the elections for 18 months.”
However, other commenters were less pleased with the news, with concerns over what an expansion would mean for county residents.
SeenItAllBefore said: “No thank you. Not far over the city boundary but I like being a county resident. No doubt we’d be fleeced paying for all the city schemes. Not only that, a city address will mean higher house and car insurance. Labour are doing everything most people don’t want.”
User Feedee commented similarly: “Shouldn’t we the tax payer have this decision. I like my county status and don’t want to be under Leicester council thank you.”
There were also concerns about what a delayed local election would mean for the area. User brit4brit speculated: “This has nothing to do with devolution of power to the regions and everything to do with delaying the local elections.”
What do you think about the council’s proposals to expand Leicester’s borders and how it might impact the upcoming local election? Have your say in the comments section.